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State Board Rejects Rule To Close Neuter Clinics

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) â A state board has rejected a proposed rule that would have closed the doors of nonprofit spay and neuter animal clinics in Alabama. Cheers and applause echoed through the hallway outside the boardroom after the Alabama State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners unanimously voted Wednesday.

The board rejected the proposal rule that would have prohibited non-veterinarians from hiring veterinarians and would prohibit non-veterinarians, including nonprofit groups, from owning veterinarian equipment. Earlier, a protest was held at a public hearing earlier to combat the proposed rule. Speakers said that the state was already struggling with a severe animal overpopulation problem, and shutting down the clinics would cause an animal explosion.

The Gadsden Times has more background on the proposed rule, and yesterday's hearing. Click here to read.